Safety device for cash registers or



E. ZOUB Aug. 22, 1939. 2,170,362

' SAFETY DEVICE FOR CASH REGISTERS OR THE LIKE Filed May 5, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l S 5m 2 M Z 02/5 Su o Aug. 22, 1939. 2,170,362

SAFETY DEVICE FOR CASH REGISTER OR THE LIKE E. zouB Filed May 5, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 22; 1939.

E. ZOUB SAFETY DEVICE FOR CASH REGISTERS OR THE LIKE Filed May 5, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ill glwue/wfom Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE FOR CASH REGISTERS OR THE LIKE

My invention relates to safety devices, and more particularly has reference to safety devices for the safeguard of money or other valuable articles against robbery in the event of a holdup or an attempted holdup. WhiIe I have shown my inventive concept used in connection with a cash register, and a bank counter, it is of course to be understood that my invention is of much broader application.

I am, of course, cognizant that various devices have been proposed for the protection of cash registers against such criminal practices. These. protective devices, however, have not proven entirely satisfactory. The majority of these prior nglevices have been somewhat complicated in construction and operation, and the cost of manufacture renders the use of the same prohibitive.

An important object of my invention is to overcome the disadvantages now present in the art.

An object of my invention is to provide a safety device for cash registers and the like, which can be cheaply and easily manufactured.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device for cash registers and the like which will normally give free access to the money or other articles deposited therein and yet which will deposit the articles in a vault in the event of a holdup.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a safety device for cash registers and f the like which is simple and sturdy in construc- 'tion, and positive in operation.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a cash register and the like with a vault and means whereby the vault cannot be opened until the expiration of a predetermined period of time.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the instructions which, for the purpose of explanation,

have been made the subject of illustration. i In the drawings:

vention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the preferred embodiment of my invention. a

Figure 2 is a sectional .view taken through the center of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view taken along line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view taken along'line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing my novel latch construction,

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of a retaining strip of fusible material.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the wiring circuit used in connection with the device shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusiv .3

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing another manner of operating my device.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the wiring circuit used in connection, with Figure 8. C

Figure 10 is a view in perspective partly cut away, showing fluid actuated means for operating my device.

Figure 11 is a view in perspective partly broken away, showing my invention used in connection with a bank tellers counter.

Figure 12 is-a sectional view taken through the forrriof my device shown in l igure 11.

Figure 13 is aview taken along line l3l3 of Figure 12. p

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic representation of the wiring circhith-rsed in connection with the deviceshown in Figures 11 to 13, inclusive.

Figure'15 is a diagrammatic representation of the wiring circuit similar to Figure?! in which a main vault is Jised. Y

Refeflifi to the drawingsand more particularly to Figure l, I have shown a conventional cash register I suitably mouned upon a cabinet structure 2. g

Referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that the lower portion of the cabinet 2 is provided with .a deposit chamber or vault 3. The vault 3 is provided in its upper face withan aperture 4 An inclined. slide 4 is suitably secured at its upperend to-the interior of the cabinet 2. The lower endof the slide is secured to the upper wall, of the safe 3 adjacent the aperture 4. 'An' arcuate slide 5' is secured to the cabinet and extends through the aperture 4 and into the interior of the safe 3 as shown in Figure 2. 1 f

As will hereinafter become more apparent, when articles are deposited on the slide 4' theyv will move down the same, through the aperture I 4, onto the slide 5' whence they will move into the vault 3.

Hinged to the front of the vault 3 is a door 5 provided with an operating handle 6. The door 5 is provided with a time lock mechanism (not shown) which may be of any desired construction. The lock mechanism may be set to release the safe lock at the expiration of a predetermined time.

As shown in Figure 1, the top of the cabinet 2 is provided with a rectangular aperture 1. Positioned immediately beneath the aperture 1 is a till or the like 8, employed for the reception-of money or other valuables. A flexible closure member 9, having a grip member In is adapted to close the aperture 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the flexible member 9 moves between the outer wall of the cabinet 2 and channel members suitably secured to the side walls of the cabinet. Resilient means, such as a coil spring l2, having one end secured to the flexible cover 9, as at I3, and having the other end secured to the vault 3, as at i4, is provided to normally hold the cover 9 in an open position.

Referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that the flexible cover 9 carries an arm I5, provided with a latch l6 at its free end. The latch I6 is adapted to cooperate with the cash register mechanism (not shown), so that when a sale is rung up, the latch IE will be released, thereby permitting the cover 9 to be pulled open by the action of the spring |2.

When it is desired to close the cover 9, the operator merely grasps the grip member l0 and manually moves the closure to the position shown in Figure 2. The latch l6 will then again be engaged with the register mechanism and the closure 9 will remain in its closed position until a sale is again rung up.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the till 8 is provided with a compartment for bills and a com-- partment for silver, designated l1 and I8 respectively. The compartments l1 and I8 are provided with lower closure members 19 and 20. The closures l9 and 20 are suitably aflixed to arms 2| and 22 respectively. The arms 2| and 22 are mounted on shafts 23 and 24 which are pivotally mounted in side partitions 25 suitably secured to the interior of the cabinet 2.

It is, of course, to be understood that the till 8 shown in the drawings is merely illustrative, and any type of till may be employed. For example, the till could be provided with a single lower closure member, thereby necessitating the use of a single arm and a single shaft.

It can be seen from Figures 3 and 4 that the shafts 23 and 24 are provided with arms 26 and 21 at one of their outer ends. The other end of each of the shafts 23 and 24* is provided with a collar 28. A link 29 pivotally connects the arms 26 and 21 so that they will move in unison.

Suitably afiixed to the partition 25 is a block 30 of suitable insulated material. A bell crank latch 3| is pivotally mounted on the block 30 as at 32. The latch 3| is adapted to engage a catch formed at the end of the arm 26 when the safety device is in the inoperative position. A spring 33, having one end aflixed to the bell crank latch'as at 34, and having the other end afiixed to the block 30, as at 35, normally tends to hold the latch 3| out of engagement with the arm 26.

A retaining strip of fusible material 36 having a reduced portion 31 has one end secured to the bell crank latch 3| by a binding post 38. The

through lead 42, motor 53, and arm 51.

other end of the strip 30 is secured to the block 36 by a binding post 39. A lead yvire 40 attached to the latch 3| is held to the insulated block by binding post 4|. A lead wire 42 is secured to the strip 36 by the binding post 39.

A plurality of switches 43 are interposed in the circuit in various locations throughout the business establishment so as to permit the easy operation of any of the switches in the event of a holdup or an attempted holdup.

The operation of my system may be best understood by reference to Figure '7. In the event of a holdup, by depressing any oneof the switches 43, current will flow through lead 42, the bell crank latch 3|, and the retaining strip 36. The

current will also flow through lead 40, switch 43,

lead 44, lead 45, and thereby actuate an electro magnetic device 46, operating a pivoted armature 41 starting time lock mechanism 3. The current also flows from switch 43 to the retaining strip 36.

The current flowing through lead 42 and the latch arm 3| will blow out the reduced 'area 31 of strip 36. This will break the retaining strip for the latch 3| and spring 33 will move the latch about its pivot 32, freeing arm 26 therefrom. Arms 26 and 21 will then fall, and at the same time cause the bottom closure members l9 and 20 of the till 8 to fall. The money or other valuables deposited in the till 8 will then fall upon the slide 4', whence they will slide through the aperture 4, onto the slide 5' and into the safe 3.

Inasmuch as the time lock mechanism 3 has also been started, the vault 3 cannot be opened device for cash registers which includes fewv working parts, and which is positive in operation. Moreover, having a vault included in the structure, it is not possible to remove any valuables from the device until a certain predetermined period of time has transpired.

In Figures 8 and 9 I have shown another form of safety device which may be used. In this form the arm 26 carries a segmental gear 56 at its free end. The gear 56 is adapted to mesh with a worm 5| carried by the motor shaft 52 of a suitable electric motor 53.

Suitably mounted on the wall of the cabinet is a support 54 carrying a switch 55. The switch 55 comprises resilient-arms 56 and 51 carrying suitable contact points 58. The arm 51 is of such length as to be contacted by the link 29 as will hereinafter be described. Leads 49 and 42 are connected to the contact support arms 55 and 51 respectively.

By the depression of any of the switches the current will flow through lead 40. switch 43 and contact arm 56. The current will also flow When the motor is energized, the worm 5| will drive the segmental gear 50 which will in turn move the link 29 towards the right and contact the arm 51 thereby breaking the circuit to the motor .53. At the same time the electromagnet means There is shown in Figure 10 another form of my device in which a source of fluid under pressure is employed to operate the lower closure of the money till.

The free endsof the arms 26 and 21 are pivotally mounted to a link I as shown at II and "I2 respectively. The link I0 in turn is pivotally mounted to a link I3. A piston I4 operating in a cylinder I is pivotally connected tothelink I3 by a pivotal connection 11.

A supply cylinder I8 positioned in any suitable location, carries a source of fluid pressure. Piping I9 is suitably connected to the cylinder I8 for conducting the liquid to the cylinder I5.

In order to regulate the flow of the fluid to the cylinder I5, I provide a plurality of valves 80 which may be interposed between the supply cylinder I8 and the cylinder I5. Branch pipes 00 connect the main pipe line I9 with each of the valves 80. The valves 80v are provided with an operating handle 8|. A branch pipe 82 connects each of the valves 80 with a pipe 83 which is in communication with the cylinder I5.

The operation of this system is believed to be readily apparent. By actuating any one of the valves 80, fluid is admitted into pipe 83, thence into the cylinder moving the piston I4 which in turn moves arms 26 and 21 through the links "I0 and I3 thereby causing the lower closures I9 and to fall and deposit the money into the vault 3.

In Figures 11 to 15 inclusive, 1 have shown my device used in connection with a bank counter. Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, I have shown a bank counter designated 90. A plurality of money tills 9| are provided in the top of the counter. The counter 90 is also provided with the usual "glass front 92. Y

The arms 26 and 21 connected to the lower closure of each till are pivotally mounted to a connecting link 94. The link 94 carries a latch 95 at its extremity. The latch 95 is adapted to cooperate with the bellcrank latch 3I. The bell crank latch and its associated elements are of the same construction as those shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, and it is not believed necessary to go into a detailed discussion of the same.

Theihsulated block 30, however, is suitably secured .to the upper closure of the counter 90 by means of supports 96.

- Suitably afiixed to the rear wall of the counter 90 is an angularly disposed slide 91. Secured to the front wall of the counter is a slide 98 of arcuate configuration. Positioned immediately beneath the slide 98 and cooperating therewith is an endless conveyer 99 which may be of any desired construction. The conveyer is of such length as to be positioned beneath all of the tills 9|.

As shown in Figures 11 and 13, a vault I00 is provided at the end of the counter 90. The conveyer 99 communicates with the vault I00 through an opening IN. A door I02 provided with a time look (not shown) is hinged to the front of the vault I00. Positioned immediately above the door I02 is a door I03 which permits access to the bell crank latch construction.

The operation of this system is similar to the device shown in Figure 6. When any one of the switches 43 is depressed, the'current will flow through lead 42, the bell crank 3| and the fusible retaining strip 36. The current will alsoflow through lead 40, switch '43, lead I04 to therelead I05 and actuate relay I06 which operates a pivoted. armature I0I to complete the circuit to one side of a motor I08. The current also flows through lead 40 and lead I09 completing the circuit to the other side of the motor I08. The motor I08 thus energized causes the conveyer 99 'to move.

As the latch releases the arm 26, it causes the lower closure members of each of the tills 9I to fall, thereby depositing the money onto the slide 91. The money moves down slide 91 onto slide 98 and is from there deposited onto the conveyer 98. The conveyer moves the money toward the vault and deposits it therein through the aperture IOI.

The current also flows through lead 42 to one terminal of an electromagnet 46. The current also flows through lead 40, switch 43, lead, I04, and lead III to the other terminal of the electromagnet 46 thereby actuating a pivoted armature II2 to star the mechanism of the time lock may be of the conventional type, that is, the

drawer moves back and forth. When such a a movable drawer is employed, the elements for actuating the pivoted lower closure would be suitably carried by the side wall of the till.

It will be appreciated that this type of money till will be just as efilcient and easy to operate as the stationary money drawer. As soon as the switch is closed, the. pivoted lower closure will fall, thereby depositing the valuables within the safety vault. 1

From the foregoing it is believed apparent that I have devised a safety device for various types of money tills which is highly efiicient and cheap to manufacture. Moreover the device does not in any way affect the normal operation of the money till, but by the actuation of a suitably located control, it will deposit the articles disposed in the till into a vault or similardepository. Furthermore by having a time lock mechanism included in the door of the vault, it is impossible to open the door until the expiration of a predetermined period of time.

It is to be understood that the form of invention herein shown and described is to be construed as a preferred embodiment of the same and that any changes and variations may be re-, sorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims. a

I claim:

1. In a remote control depositing money container, a till, a vault positioned substantially be- I low the till, a downwardly movable bottom for the till, a member spaced apart from and concurrently movable with said-tlll bottom, said member being positioned in the vault and to one 'side of said till bottom, said member and said till bottom being gravity urged to a position whereby any objects contained in the till will be released into the vault, means positioned in the vault for resisting movement of said member and said till bottom into releasing position, said resisting means normally engaging said member, said resisting means being movable out of the path of said member, means for constantly urging said resisting means through its path .away from resisting position into releasing position, a fusible link adapted to be weakened past the breaking point by the passage of electricity therethrough, said link normally preventing movement of said resisting means from its resisting position, whereby an electric current may be utilized to release the resisting means to permit objects in the till to fall into the vault.

2. In a remote control depositing money container, comprising a till, a vault positioned substantially below the till, a plurality of downwardly hingeable bottoms for the till, a member spaced apart from and connected to said till bottoms, whereby movement'of said member is concurrent with movement of said till bottoms, said till bottoms being gravity urged to object releasing position, means positioned in the vault for resisting movement of said memher and said till bottoms into releasing position, said resisting means normally engaging said member, said resisting means being movable out of the path of said member, means for constantly urging said resisting means through its path away from resisting position into releasing position,

:a fusible link adapted to be weakened past the breaking point by the passage of electricity therethrough, said link normally preventing movement of said resisting means from its resisting position, whereby an electric current may be utilized to release the resisting means to permit objects in the till to fall into the vault.

3. In a remote control depositing money container, a till, a vault positioned substantially below the till, a plurality of downwardly swingable bottoms for the till, shafts turning with said till bottoms, arms in parallel relationship attached to said shafts at one side of said till bottom and at an angle below that of said till bottom when said till bottom is at its uppermost position, a connecting rod between said arms whereby said shafts and said arms move concurrently, said arms and said till bottoms being gravity urged to a position whereby any objects contained in the till will be released into the vault, means positioned in the vault and engaging one of said arms for resisting movement of said arms into releasing position, said resisting means being movable out of the path of said arm, the path of movement of resisting means diverging from the path of movement of said arm as said resisting means moves away from resisting position, means for constantly urging said resisting means through its path into releasing position,

va fusible link adapted to be weakened past the breaking point by the passage of electricity therethrough, said link normally preventing movement of said resisting means from its resisting position, whereby an electric current may be utilized to release the resisting means to permit objects in the till to fall into the vault.

ERAZM ZOUB. 

